Cancer RRG Retreat

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INFLUENCES ON TUMOUR DEVELOPMENT

• Evaluation of the biological activity of faecal
  water as a biomarker for colon cancer risk. Prof
  Ian Rowland
• The role of folate and metabolically related B
  vitamins in carcinogenesis Prof Helene McNulty,
  Prof Sean Strain
• Pathways of inflammation-associated oncogenesis
  of the colon. Prof Charles Campbell.
• Genetic screening in breast and breast/ovarian
  cancer families Dr Tony Bjourson, Prof Patrick
  Morrison, Prof Yvonne Barnett
• Identification of changes in proteins and genes
  implicated in early breast cancer development. Dr
  Mohamed El-Tanani

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HYPOXIA AND CANCER

• Characterization of Erythropoietin-Induced Genes
• Prof Terry Lappin
• Microenvironmental factors in tumours as targets
  for therapy. Prof David Hirst, Prof Stephanie
  McKeown

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Oxygen dependent regulation of HIF transcription
complex (Huang and Bunn 2003)
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AQ4N and the reduction product AQ4
? In low oxygen prodrug becomes toxic

• AQ4 (stable reduction product)
• Formed in hypoxic cells
• Binds strongly in nucleus
• Kills the hypoxic cells
• Enhances standard therapies

• AQ4N (Prodrug)
• Outside nucleus
• Non-toxic

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CONTROL OF THE CANCER CELL

• Epigenetic gene silencing in cancerDr CP Walsh
• Late cycle checkpoint defects and cancerProf
  Stephen Downes and Dr Hugh McGlynn

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STRESS RESPONSES IN CANCER

• Further characterisation of a novel gene, DIR1,
  and other stress response genes with a potential
  role in radio and chemosensitisationDr Tracy
  Robson (UUJ)
• Functional analysis of the BRCA1 tumour
  suppressor Dr Paul Harkin (QUB)

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DIR1, a novel gene with a potential role in
radioprotection.
PI Dr. Tracy Robson
0.2Gy 2h
0.2 Gy 24 h
DIR1 protects cells from X-ray and UV damage
possible by increasing DNA repair implications
for skin cancer prevention and radiotherapy
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THERAPEUTIC TARGETS AND CANCER

• Characterization of a novel candidate ovarian
  tumour suppressor gene Dr. Hilary Russell (QUB)
• Characterisation and clinical significance of
  thymidylate synthase (TS)-regulated signalling
  pathways Prof Paddy Johnston (QUB)
• Discovery of potential novel anti-cancer drugs
  derived from natural products and by rational
  design. Dr. Hendrik van den Berg (QUB)

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IMAGING AND TUMOUR EVALUATION

• The role of machine vision and computerised
  expert systems in the diagnosis and prognosis of
  cancer Prof Peter Hamilton (QUB)
• The validation and integration of (18FDG) PET-CT
  functional data into the radiotherapy treatment
  planning process for non-small cell lung cancer.
  Dr Alan Hounsell, Dr David Stewart, Prof Peter
  Jarritt (Medical Physics Agency)

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Summary and future directions

• CRRG is the biggest RRG
• Support from the RDO has been invaluable
• Enhanced Cancer Research in NI
• Cohesion and collaboration of cancer researchers
• New NI infrastructure developments will enhance
  this further
• Future plans for next 5 year cycle
• On going Cancer RRG group
• Sponsoring of a UK/international cancer meeting
• Possible development of a NI Tissue Bank

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Acknowledgement
We would like to thank the RD Office staff, in
particular Prof RW Stout and Dr M Neely for their
guidance and support in the past year.